About "Dog Food Smarts"
The Making, Marketing, and Safety of Today's Foods for Dogs
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This is the third core course in The Science Dog Courses "Master Class in Canine Nutrition". Take all three to earn your Masters Class Certificate!
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EIght chapters examine dog food history; homemade, traditional and innovative foods; marketing claims and appeals; regulation and safety; dog food evaluation and selection and more!
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Video lectures, readings, recorded webinars and knowledge checks keep material interesting and support students with different learning styles
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Unlimited 6-month access to this completely self-paced course, plus Q/A and discussion sessions with the instructor and other students
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Students who complete the course receive a certificate of achievement to help pet professionals advance their careers and to market their knowledge to clients
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Complete ALL three core courses (Basics, Puppies to Seniors and Dog Food Smarts) to earn your "Masters Class Certificate" in Canine Nutrition!
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Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available with IAABC (20 units), CPDT (21 units; Behavior consultants), KPA (21 units), and PPAB (20 units)
Dog Food Smarts
Course Curriculum
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1
Chapter 1 - Introduction
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Dog Food Smarts - Introduction to Course
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Guidelines for Using the Course Player
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Tips for Success
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Terms and Definitions to Get You Started
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Introduce Yourself!
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2
Chapter 2 - The History of Dog Food
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In the Beginning
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Not Your Grandmother's Kibble
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Early Pet Foods: Check Your Knowledge
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The Origin of "Complete and Balanced"
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The 2007 Recall Crisis
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Complete and Balanced - Knowledge Check!
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3
Chapter 3 - Types of Dog Foods
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Extruded and Baked Dog Foods
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Effects of Extrusion and Baking on Starch in Pet Foods
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Measuring Protein Damage due to Extrusion in Dog Foods
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Extrusion and Baking: Test Your Knowledge
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New Types of Dry Foods: Air-Dried, Freeze-Dried and Dehydrated Products
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Wet, Fresh-Cooked and Raw Foods
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Video: Production of Fresh Cooked Dog Food
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Homemade vs. Commercial Diets
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Are Homemade Diets More Expensive?
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Other Foods - Test Your Knowledge
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4
Chapter 4 - Pet Food Ingredients
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Pet Grade vs. Human Grade Ingredients and Foods
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Are Human Grade Dog Foods More Nutritious?
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Protein-providing Ingredients
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Chicken Meal vs. Chicken By-Product Meal: What is the Actual Difference?
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What Do You Know (About Human Grade, Pet Grade and Protein Ingredients)?
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Starch and Fiber-providing Ingredients
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Fat-providing Ingredients
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Flax as a Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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Food Additives and Preservatives
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Pet Food Antioxidants: Pros and Cons
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Knowledge Check - Starch, Fat, and Preservative Ingredients
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5
Q/A and Discussion (Chapters 1 - 4)
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Q/A and Discussion - Chapters 1 - 4
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6
Chapter 5 - Pet Food Labels - Are They Helpful?
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What's In a Name?
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What's on a Label?
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Do AAFCO Feeding Trials Matter?
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Summary of AAFCO Pet Food Label Requirements
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Test Your Knowledge (Pet Food Labels)
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7
Chapter 6 - Pet Food Marketing (Buyer Beware!)
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Marketing Appeals (and Why they Work)
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A (Highly) Successful Campaign: The Appeal to "Natural"
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The Anchoring Effect
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What Price is Right?
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What Do You Know (About Advertising Appeals)
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Marketing Claims - Are they Helpful?
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Marketing Claims that Tell You Nothing
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Health Claims on Dog Food Labels
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Dental Claims - Should You Believe Them?
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Test Your Knowledge (About Marketing Claims)
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8
Chapter 7 - Pet Food Regulation and Safety
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Who Regulates Dog Foods?
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The "Regulation" of Low Calorie Foods
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Webinar Excerpt: The Safety Controversies of Raw Diets
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High Pressure Pasteurization of Raw Pet Foods
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What's In Your (Dog's) Food? Mislabeling Problems with Dog Food Ingredients
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Test Your Knowledge (Pet Food Regulations)
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9
Chapter 8 - Choosing Smart for Dogs
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A Few Food Quality Assessments
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Protein Quality of Chicken Ingredients
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Choosing Smart for Your Dog
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"Pet Food Math Cheat Sheet" Video Tutorial
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Optional Assignment: Comparing Two Foods Using the Pet Food Math Cheat Sheet
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Test Your Knowledge (Dog Food Assessment)
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Optional Discussion: What Do You Feed to Your Dog(s) or Recommend to Clients/Customers?
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10
Q/A and Discussion (Chapters 5 - 8)
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Q/A and Discussion - Chapters 5 - 8
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11
Additional Resources, CEUs and Completion Certificate
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Suggested Books and Websites
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The FDA's Pet Food Safety Reporting Portal
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Completing the Course!
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Certificate of Course Completion
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Review the Course!
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Dog Food Smarts - Free Preview Video
FREE PREVIEW
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What Students are Saying About
Dog Food Smarts
Dog Food Smarts
Glenn Massie
Dog Food Smarts provides insightful information on all types of dog foods; kibble (extruded and baked), air-dried, freeze-dried, dehydrated, wet, fresh, and ...
Read MoreDog Food Smarts provides insightful information on all types of dog foods; kibble (extruded and baked), air-dried, freeze-dried, dehydrated, wet, fresh, and raw. If you are interested in moving past the marketing claims and desire a deeper understanding of what you are feeding your dog I highly recommend this course.
Read LessExcellent course
Jennifer Moore Baker
Finding a pet food nutrition course that is well researched, interesting and informative is wonderful. I have taken all three courses and learned from every ...
Read MoreFinding a pet food nutrition course that is well researched, interesting and informative is wonderful. I have taken all three courses and learned from every one!
Read LessValuable information for all dog owners
Justis McLaren
The Science Dog courses have been so valuable in helping me to understand the details about feeding dogs. I feel equipped to make informed decisions about wh...
Read MoreThe Science Dog courses have been so valuable in helping me to understand the details about feeding dogs. I feel equipped to make informed decisions about what to feed and why. I also feel confident that I can discuss nutrition with future clients. I highly recommend this course to dog professionals and dog owners!
Read LessGreat course!!
Kamrin MacKnight
Great course and materials!! THANK YOU!
Great course and materials!! THANK YOU!
Read LessDog Food Smarts
Rosemary McDonagh
Another informative course from the brilliant Science Dog. I have really enjoyed each of the courses and have learned so much and am definitely more confiden...
Read MoreAnother informative course from the brilliant Science Dog. I have really enjoyed each of the courses and have learned so much and am definitely more confident to advise clients. Thank you
Read LessValuable information for all dog owners
Justis McLaren
The Science Dog courses have been so valuable in helping me to understand the details about feeding dogs. I feel equipped to make informed decisions about wh...
Read MoreThe Science Dog courses have been so valuable in helping me to understand the details about feeding dogs. I feel equipped to make informed decisions about what to feed and why. I also feel confident that I can discuss nutrition with future clients. I highly recommend this course to dog professionals and dog owners!
Read LessInstructor
Owner, The Science Dog
Linda Case